tushanshu | video;

Entry tags:

video;

[The video opens on an uncommonly solemn-looking Lieuen, in a sombre state of dress that's unlike his usual pretentions. His skin, so modelled after the common Foreigner complexion, is a tiny bit sallow.]

Dear residents of Keeliai. It's with deep and considerable regret that I am the bearer of unfortunate tidings in regards to our fair city. You may have begun to notice that Tu Vishan's health has been... deteriorating, of late. This is certainly no cause for alarm! Things being what they are, it's tantamount to... say, a cold or flu that you Foreigners seem so susceptible to. We have every assurance that Tu Vishan will overcome this malady and return to its usual self soon.

But in the interest of not taking our grand turtle for granted, certain... shall we say, rules are going to be put into play effective now. The first and most importantly, of course, is rationing.

[There's a touch of distaste to his features as he says that. Guess who doesn't like the concept?]

Resources are going to be a touch more difficult to come by in the coming weeks, and as our guests we ask that you respect our laws and customs in this time. You will find a list of what it's permissible to purchase at your local vendors. Wasteful behaviour will become a punishable offense, and fully one-fifth of your resources, whether they are earned or made, are going to be... ah, requisitioned by detachments of the local law enforcement. It's with my sincerest apologies that I relay these terms to you, you see, and when we all come through this in fine fashion I will be reimbursing everyone fully for any, hm... hardships they might encounter due to these edicts.

And on that note!

[He claps his hands together, clearly trying to change gears from the unpleasantly macabre to the positive.]

I couldn't help but notice that several of you have taken an interest in our local language. Truly, I couldn't be happier. It brings me great joy to see your appreciation of our culture. Therefore, I'd like to offer my services as a translator, of sorts. I know each of the seventeen kedan dialects, including the more ancient forms, and I would gladly assist in any translations you've been undertaking. For a fee, of course, to be negotiated based on... oh, trifling things. The amount you wish translated, the time involved in doing so, and so on and so forth.

As always, if you have any questions do please ask, but it is my keenest wish that you keep it brief. I'm a touch preoccupied at the moment. Thank you.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I have endured worse, I'm sure, [Javert mutters dryly. A curt nod.]

You are the city banker, then. I am Javert. I will remember to monitor the bulletins for any changes in rationing. Is there anything else you advise? You have more experience with this deterioration than I do.

Quite. My aides will see you in, good sir!

[Lieuen disconnects after this, finishing off his other threads of conversation after a quick note to said aides that he would soon have a visitor.

The offices mentioned are quite lavish, though already there are signs of the decay in the weakening of the fire fountains and curtains that decorate the lobby of the main building. Polished statues are no longer gleaming quite so brightly in the absence of light and a trio of kedan are in the process of repositioning them to make the best of circumstances.

Lieuen's offices can only be accessed via an escort as they are in the middle of the third floor and have been tightly secured. A fourth kedan is sent to wait in the lobby for Victor to serve just this purpose.]

[Lieuen considers his position, giving short service to that with the pause of one beat (and perhaps a second quick one).]

Were the nature of the information transient, a lessor cost might suit, but I'm afraid that this transaction is capital in nature. Once learned, it cannot be unlearned and therein lies the value. You, sir, are making an investment in your future and surely that is worth quite a deal?

Empress? [A flutter of confusion before Lieuen realises that this Foreinger speaks in terms of gender to Eshai and not the position that the Ironwood Emperor represents.] Ah, so you speak of the Emperor. What a delightful reference to make. Do you always speak with such gender assignations. Do tell how this pronoun is adapted to the remaining four genders.

[Gender is fluid to the kedan and often they simply work with the one that the other party identifies for use. With Eshai, she is the Emperor by designation and nothing more -- oh, yes. There are more pressing details.]

My apologies. Language is a passion of mine and I can so easily become entranced by it. [An apologetic tip of his hat.] I have been studying the very idea of Foreigners for years now and have many a question left to answer.

I unfortunately have no oversight in this resource centralisation. The Alderwood Commander has been given such controls and he has proven quite fair in the past. Your fears would be best addressed with he, I'm afraid.

Excellent! I suggest we meet twice a week and for three hours each time? As for payment, a weekly arrangement may be best.

Prudence and schedules have the misfortune to so rarely align. [His tone is apologetic.] A word of caution, sir. The emperor has never struck me as one to take intrusions beyond her audiences kindly.

I'm afraid this is the first time Tu Vishan has taken so poor a turn. [And Lieuen is extremely fond of his luxuries.] However, it is my experience to simply provide what is asked and make do with what remains. Should you require something unavailable, consider contacting me in private and we could discuss the options.

[Victor sets out as soon as the video ends. He heads out to pick up the book and then towards the offices. He's silently impressed by how lavish they are but the weakening fire fountains get a sad little look. It passes quickly as he notices the kedan. They get a sympathetic look as they move the statues. He's had to do that at work more than a few times himself.

Holding onto the bag containing the book, Victor approaches the fourth kedan.]

Hello. I'm here to see Mr. Lieuen.

Good thinking. If you can, it might be helpful to test out how he feels about the Emperor. He could be a useful ally.

I'll see what I can find out and let you know as soon as I'm done there.

That will be perfect. Thank you, I do appreciate it.

[The kedan nods and beckons Victor to follow him up the winding staircases, carved in replica of the tree suites in Wood, to the third floor. Glimpses can be seen of other architecture inspired by the five sectors en route, ended by a great metal door that is etched with a map of the five Sectors.

Here, the kedan knocks twice before pushing the doors open into Lieuen's office itself. The room is large, with scaled models of each Sector's suite design laid out on tables along one wall. Books line the opposite one, with subjects and languages of a thousand different fancies and organised to his mind. And to the far wall is Lieuen's desk (an Earth Sector carved stone masterpiece) and situated at its corner is the the only out-suite, non-café console not in the hands of the Emperor or Commander. This access and console is part of his fee for overseeing much construction and facilitation for the Foreigners and remains a pride of his to this day.

Lieuen himself is just finishing with a reply via the console and smiles broadly when he sees Victor. The reply is sent with a wave of his hand and the kedan rises to his feet.]

I am most honoured by your visit to my enterprises. Do come in and make yourself comfortable. Ohlwai shall see to any thirsts you seek to be slated.

[Victor follows along silently, taking in the sights. He's making note of the layout of things in case they ever need to sneak in as much as he's appreciating the work that went into the design of the place.

When shown to the office, Victor stands up straighter and looks around. It's a reflex, really. He offers a small smile when he notices Lieuen.]

Thank you but I'm not thirsty. Thank you for taking the time to see me.

[Temeraire sighs heavily. Were Laurence in his stead, he is certain he might be able to strike a better bargain. As it is, Lieuen's reasoning is much the same as his own would be. It is remarkably solid logic to a dragon, and Temeraire finds that he can think of no particularly strong arguments against it. The thought of paying so high a price is troublesome, as is the implication that he might be here for a full year, but there is nothing for it. If he wants access to the library, he will have to start somewhere.]

Very well, then. I accept your offer, unless you have any additional stipulations?

...understood. [So weird that she wouldn't want immediate help with this. Obviously this requires further investigation.]

Thank you.

Thanks. And good luck.

[Lieuen shakes his head, placing a hand over his chest.]

Allow me to thank you for this opportunity to talk business with you.

[For he is ever the sort to get straight to the point.]

This passage you seek translated... [A certain, professional intimation slides into his tone.] You have it with you?

[The smile he bears is nothing short of one overly pleased with the deal they have on the happen.]

Nary any that dare cross my mind and complicate such a transaction. I accept your acceptance, sir, and shall have a contract drawn up immediately to reflect that!

A pleasure, though I regret to have delivered such sobering tidings. Do call upon Lieuen should you again require assistance and I shall endeavor to bear better tidings!

[Victor nods a bit. He expected that they'd get right to the point. He reaches into the bag he's carrying and takes the book out carefully.]

I do. It's this book here. I'm curious about what's in it.

[That book. No, that tome. Lieuen does not recognise it, but he sees profit in it -- and knowledge. This is a second passion of his, set aside only for business, and so he sees potential here as well.]

If I may?

[His hands are held out to accept it, if allowed. Lieuen does not grab for it, merely allows Victor to consider his options and make the decision.]

It's probably be better to set it down an look at it on a flat surface. It's a pretty old book I think.

[Victor sets the book on Lieuen's desk and opens it carefully. He is a little worried the book might rip so he's only using his normal hand. Once the book is open, he slides it closer to Lieuen.]

[A wise suggestion and Lieuen pauses to engage in one more wise action: He takes a pair of pristine white gloves from his desk, sized for hands three times smaller than his. A brief thought and his hands shrink to fit and he dons the gloves, able now to move with far more delicacy.]

An interesting find. [The age and size alone are tribute to that. He scans a few lines, brow furrowing in concentration.] But no easy read, unfortunately. This language is quite ancient.

[Translation for the layman: Expensive.]

[Victor watches the little shapeshifting trick with a little smile but doesn't comment. He waits quietly as Lieuen reads, nodding.]

Yeah, I thought it looked really different from the other texts I saw around here. It's not impossible to read though, right?

[Yes, there are more pressing details. Enjolras will not indulge the man in his linguistic interest.]

In the past? Has anything like this occurred before?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 4 of 5

video;

video;

[Video]

video;

no subject

no subject

audio;

video;

[Action]

text; private to Batgirl; encrypted 100%

text; private to Batgirl; encrypted 100%

no subject

perma-action

perma-action

video;

audio;

text; private to Batgirl; encrypted 100%

no subject

video;

audio;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject